What is a wave?

A wave is a disturbance or oscillation that travels from one location to another over a period of time.

$\fbox{\parbox{5in} { Waves carry information/energy from one point to another-the medium in which they propagate is not transported! }}$

There are two main types of waves:

Mechanical: waves propagate through a medium.
Electromagnetic: wave propagation does not require a medium (they can travel in a vacuum).

Which kind of wave is sound?

``Music 175: Sound'' by Tamara Smyth, Department of Music, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).